Pedestal for traffic signals or the like



April 11, 1933.

G. A. N UTE PEDESTAL FOR TRAFFIC SIGNALS OR THE LIKE Filed Jan. 14, 1952Patented Apr. 11, 1933 UNITED STATS GFFICE GEORGE A. NUTE, OFSOMERVILLE, IJIASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO DAVID f r H. YOUNG,OF WILLIMANSETT, MASSACHUSETTS PEDESTAL FOR TRAFFIC SIGNALS OB, THELIKEApplication filed January 14, 1932. Serial No. 586,488.

Referring in detail first to Figure 1 of the This invention relates toapedestal intended for a variety of uses but more especially forsupporting a traffic signal, e. g., traffic lights, in the middle of ahighway and at street intersections or other locations Where it isexposed to damage on account of accident or faulty driving of motorvehicles. It may be used for other purposes, such as supporting apolicemans traffic box; or, it may constitute a fence post on a highway.

The present invention provides a pedestal constructedto withstand notonly ordinary use, but also being struck or side-swiped, Without damageto the signal element supported thereon or to itself. Broadly stated,the pedestal of the present invention includes a post for supporting thesignal element in a normally upright position, which post is anchored toa suitable base and includes a flexible link adjacent to the base andpermitting the deflection or flexing of the post about the link. Thepost is surrounded by a suitable bumper column, which has a verticalcentral bore or hollow through which the post loosely passes so that thecolumn can be revolved about the post. The column can be suitablysupported for such revolving action on the same base to which the postis anchored. Associated with the normally upright post and the bumpercolumn is means which permits the deflection of both the post and columnabout the flexible link under the action of a deflecting force or impactfrom a vehicle and which reacts upon the removal of the force to restoreboth to upright position.

With the foregoing and other features and objects in view, my inventionwill now be described in greater detail in conjunction with theaccompanying drawing, wherein Figure 1 represents a vertical sectiontaken centrally through a pedestal embodying the present invention.

Figures 2 and 3 are sections on the lines 22 and 33, respectively, ofFigure 1.

Figure 4 is a front elevation of the pedestal in its normally uprightposition and deflected to an inclined position shown in dotted lines.

drawing, 1 represents a rigid, normally upright post for supportingthesignal element. The post includes near its lower end a flexible link,which, as shown, can take the form of a chain 2, one end of whichengages the end of the rigid post proper and the other end of whichengages under the apex portion of an angular anchor-piece 3, whose sidesare embedded in a concrete or other appropriate base 4. The sides of theanchor-piece preferably terminate in outwardly turned portions 5,.whichare shown inclined somewhat upwardly so as to ensure firm anchorage inhe base. A. bumper column 6 having a vertical bore or hollow centrallytherethrough surrounds the post 1, which passes loosely through thebore. The lower end of the column can rest on suitable bearing meansprovided on the base 4: and which permit free sliding movement of thecolumn on the base and the revolution of the column about the post. Thebearing means shown comprises a circular raceway or track 7 containingtherein ball bearings 8 or their equivalent. The race-way can bepartially embedded in the concrete base, which preferably includes asuitable angle-iron reinforcement 9 immediately under the race-way. Thelower end of the column can bear directly on the ballbearings 8 asshown.

i -[bile the column 6 might assume various forms, nevertheless it is, asillustrated, preferably of annular shape and of gradually increasingcross-section toward its lower end, where it should be sturdy enough toresist the shock of being struck by a motor vehicle. Thematerials ofconstruction of the column preferably consist of an outer shell 10 ofsuitable sheet metal, filled with concrete 11.

The means shown for righting the post and the columnafter they have beendeflected by an impact includes a compression coil spring 12encompassing the post within the bore of the column. This spring isarranged somewhat above the flexible link 2 and is restrained fromvertical movement at its lower end by a bearing element 13 projectingfrom the column inwardly into the bore and at its upper end by acircular plate 14. apertured so as to pass through the post and heldfast against the spring by a nut 15 in threaded engagement with thepost. The plate 14 also serves to keep the post from sagging at itsflexible chain portion by virtue of the nut 15 engaging thereover.

The bearing element 13 may be formed an annular shelf, which constitutesa continuation of a ring member 16 passing through the shell 10 andlocked in place in the concrete filler 11, as best shown in Figure 3.Suitably spaced openings 17 can be formed through the ring member 16, sothat the concrete filler may continue through the openings ascylindrical fastening elements.

I'Vhen the pedestal is used for supporting a traific light or similarsignal element requiring electric wiring, the wiring 180 can take itscourse through the base 4 and upwardly through the bore of the column tothe signal element. In order to prevent dislocation or entanglement ofthe wiring on account of the revolving of the column 6 about the post 1,a circular plate 18 for holding the wiring in place can be fixed betweenthe lower end of the spring 12 and the bearing element 13. As shown, theplate 18 has a key 19 engaging in a recess formed in the post 1, and hasan aperture 20 through which the wiring passes upwardly through thecenter of the spring and thence through an aperture 21 formed in theplate 14 to the signal element.

The signal element can be supported by the postin any suitable manner.As illustrated, the upper end portion 22 of the post may be of square orother suitable cross-section so as to permit non-rotatable engagementthereover of a socket 23 of similar crosssection forming part of amounting 24 for a light or similar signal element. The mounting may betubular and include a base portion 25 serving to support the lower endof a tubular housing 26 telescoped in the mounting and terminating atits upper end in an enlarged, transparent bulb portion 27 containing thelight. A suitable cap or cover plate 28 aflixed to the tubular housing26 and projecting over the upper end of the column 6 can serve toprevent access of rain and snow into the bore of the column.

It is thus seen that I have provided a sturdy and compact pedestal,which can stand up against side-swiping and/or impact by Inotor vehicleswithout damage, and which when struck is simply tilted or deflectedabout the flexible link 2 to the inclined position shown in Figure 4,while the impact is absorbed in the compression against the bearingelement 13 of the spring 12, whose recoil or reaction serves to restorethe pedestal automatically to its normally upright position.

Of course, the base 4 may be partially or wholly embedded in the ground;or it may 1,903,583 I ,I 4 4. a i

be set upon the ground so as to permit the pedestal to be handled as aportable unit.

What I claim is:

1. In a pedestal for a traffic signal or the like, a post in a normallyupright position for supporting the signalelement, a base to which thelower end of said post is anchored, a bumper column surrounding saidpost and revolvable about said post, and bearing means on said base onwhich said column is free to ride, said bearing means including acircular race-way fixed to said base and rotatable bearings within saidrace-way and on which the lower end of said column bears.

2. In a pedestal, a post in a normally upright position and including aflexible link at its lower end, a base to which said link is anchored, acolumn surrounding said post and revolvable about said post, meansassociated with said post and column to permit the deflection of saidpost and column about said flexible link under the action of adeflecting force and reacting upon the removal of said force to restoresaid post and column to upright position, and rotatable bearings betweenthe lower end of said column and said base and on which said columnfreely rides so as to permit its revolution about said post.

In testimony whereof I have aflixed my signature. 1

GEORGE A. NUTE.

